ABSTRACT
Introduction This chapter is based on the premise that progress toward sustainable urban communities is largely dependent on a country’s political system as well as its economic wellbeing. The former determines the kind of policies pursued in order to achieve environmental, social and economic sustainability goals and the measures taken. The latter influences the amount and types of resources invested in trying to reach these goals. This chapter highlights how the rather unique Swiss democratic decision-making system influences policies toward sustainable urban development at the national, cantonal and local levels. The particular focus is on local policies as they relate to the provision of sustainable housing in a more encompassing context of sustainable urban neighbourhood and city development.
